Lock cover-securing means



L. RIAL AND W. HEBERN.

LOCK COVER SECURlNG MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29, 1919.

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Paismted Nov. 9, 1920.

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TTORNEYS' L. RIAL AND W. HEBERN.

LOCK COVER SECURING MEANS. APPLICATION HLED JAN.29. 1919.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

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LEE RIAL AND ILLIAM HEBERN, or sen rnanorsoo, onmronnm; SAID HEBERN ASSIGNOR or ONE-FGURTH on THE ENTIRE RIGHT TO B. J. MCLAUGHELIN AND ONE- FOURTH or THE ENTIRE RIGHT TO JOSEPH F. SULLIVAN, Born or sen FRANCISCO,

CALIFORNIA.

LOCK COVER-SECURING MEANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Original application filed.- (ictober 29, 1917, Serial No. 199,003. Divided and this application filed. January ent application being a divisional application of our copending invention entitled teering wheel lock, filed October 29, 1917, Serial No. 199,003.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a steering wheel, a combination look, a bolt operated thereby to permit the wheel to be released or locked with relation to the steering column of a car, and a cover 7 for the locking mechanism which is adapted to be locked against removal by the bolt. Another object of the invention is to provine a combination lock which permits looking of the cover and-the bolt, both in the released and in the locked position, and also to provide a lock'which obviates the necessity of carrying a key and which is so constructed that the locking combination may be readily changed from time to time as con- 'ditions may demand, )rovided the one who desires to make the change already knows the resent combination. Further objects will ereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to theaccompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 is a planviewof an ordinary steering wheel,.showing the application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a s1de'elevationof same, partly in section, said section being taken onthe.

line 22 of Fig.

Fig. 3 ls an enlarged cross section'on llne 4 is an enlarged cross section on line M ofF1g. 1. r

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section on line Serial No. 273,903.

- Fig. 6 is a longitudinal, vertical section through one side of the locking mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a similar section taken directly through the cent r of the locking mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a plan view,-showing the cover plate, upper bearing plate and the releasing plate removed.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the cover plate, bearing plate and releasing plate, showing the three plates assembled and the normal positions maintained between the same.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the keys employed.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the locking bolt.

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of the collar,

showinga split bushing interposed between the steering column and the collar.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section through the.

collar, showing it raised by the interposition of'a plurality of washers.

Refe ring to the drawings in detail, A indicates the rim of an ordinary steering wheel, 2 the spokes, and 3 the hub. Formed lifatented Nov. 9, 1920.

integral with one of the spokes, as shown.

at 2, is a lock housing or casing 4;, and forming a covering for said housing and a collar 5, secured upon the steering column 6, is a plate 7. Slidably mounted on a bearing plate 8 secured in the bottom of the casing is a locking bolt 9, and slidably mounted on a bearing plate 10 secured to the cover plate 7 is a releasing plate .11.

Formed as a guideway for the bolt 9 in the bearing plate 8 is a recessed slotted section'lQ, and formed oneach side of the looking bolt is an outwardly projecting flange 13 which is notched as shown at M, along the whole length of the bolt and'on each side of same. Formed in the bottom bear"- ing plate and on each side thereof are eight slots, such as shown at 1 5 and 16', and formed in thenpper' bearing plate and also in the cover plate? is a similar number of alined slots 17 and 18. Adapted to be received by the alined slots 15 and 17 are eight verticall ositioned key members 19 and adapted to be receivedby the alined slots 16' and 18 are eight-key. members 20. The

distance above thecover plate 7, as shown at 7*, (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6) and may, there fore, be readily manipulated when the locking mechanism is to be released or locked.

Formed in the bottom section of the easing 1 and also in the lower bearing plate 8, in alinement with each set of slots 15 and 16, are chambers 22, and adapted to be housed by said chambers and interposed between the lower end of each key and the bottom section of the casing is a coil spring 23., These coil springs normally serve the function of supporting each key in a raised or projected position and they also serve the function of raising the keys when they are released by the releasing plate 11, as will hereinafter be described.

Each side ofeach' key is notched, as shown in Figs. 3, 4:, 5 and 10. One notched side may be called the combination side while the opposite side may be called the free side. The free side or" each key is provided with notches, such as shown at 24:, 25 and 26, while the combination side of each key is provided with two notches, such as shown at 27 and 28. The upper notches 24 and 27 are formed on the same plane and are provided for the purpose of receiving a locking spring, such as shown at 29. There is one looking spring for each key (sixteen in all) and these springs are secured to each side of the releasing plate 11, and as the releasingplate normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 9, which maintains each spring in alinement with the key, it can readily be seen that depression of any individual key against the tension of the springs 23 will permit a spring 29 to engage one or another of the notches 24 and 27 and lockthe key against upward movement. The release of a key thus locked can only be accomplished by moving the sliding plate in the direction of arrow at by means of a knob 30 secured to the plate, as shown in Fig. 7; this movement of the sliding plate and the springs carried thereby being permitted as the cover plate is slotted, as at 31, to allow such movement. The sliding movement thus transmitted to the plate moves the spring 29 out of alinement with each key laterally and, therefore, disengages each spring and permits the keys to return to normal raised position, due to the tension of the springs 23.

' 'Any number of keys may be employed in the combination for the purpose of releasing or locking the bolt 9. v The keys thus employed for locking or releasing the bolt are turned to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4=; that is, the combination sides of the keys are presented toward the slotted flanges 13 of the locking bolt. The keys that are not employed in the combination remain in their normal position and. present their combination sides outwardly toward the sides of the casing, as shown in Fig. 5. 4

In actual operation, supposing the keys marked a, b, 0 and d (see Fig. 1) are employed as locking members. Then it is only necessary to depress said keys, as shown in Fig. 4, to permit the bolt to be retracted with relation to a slot 9* formed in the collar 5. This is accomplished as follows: By referring to Fig. l it will be seen that depression of the keys 0 and d has lowered them to a point where the upper notches 27 have become engaged and locked by the springs 29.

.It can also be seen that'the lower notches 28 have assumed a position below the slotted flanges 13 of the bolt which permits the bolt to travel freely.

The other position of the combination keys is shown in Fig. 3. They are here in the raised position and as such form locks for the bolt, as the lower ends of the keys are in a position where they enter the slots 14 of the flanges 13 on the locking bolt. The bolt cannot, therefore, be moved before the keys at and b in Fig. 3 have been depressed, nor can the bolt be moved if any other keys are depressed but the four specified, as the depression of keys not in the combination would cause a lug 32, on the free side of the key (see Fig. 5) to enter one of the channels formed in the flanges 13 of the bolt. Therefore it is essential that no keys but those employed in the combination, that is, keys a, Z), c and (Z be depressed, as it will otherwise be impossible to move the bolt. The moment the depression of the combination keys has taken place it becomes possible to move the bolt by means of a knob 33 in the direction of arrow (see Fig. 7 This movement is possible as the flanges 13 on the bolt are in alinement with the lower notches, formed on the free sides of the keys, that are not employed in the combination and also because the flanges 13 are in alinement with the notches 28 formed in the combination keys as these have been depressed as described.

Movement of the bolt for retraction is permitted the moment the knob is pulled in the direction of the arrow 1), as shown. Thesteering wheel is in this manner released with relation to the collar and the steering column and it also becomes possible to lock the bolt in this released position merely by' releasing the combination keys that have been depressed; this being accomplished, as

before described, by moving the knob and desiring'to lock the wheel with relation to the collar and column, to first depressthe combination keys and then turn the wheel to a position where the bolt will registerwith the notch 9 to permit the bolt to enter and lock, the bolt being locked and secured in the locked position by again releasing the combination keys through a movement of the sliding plate. know the combination ofthe look if it is desired tolock the wheel when the bolt is retracted to releasing position and also if it is desired .to release the wheel to unlock it with relation to the steering column. Neither operation can be performed without knowledge of the combination. t

The manner in which the cover plate 7 is secured to the casing is the important fea ture of the present invention. The collar 5 is first secured to the column. 6 by means of a key 6, then by a screw 6, and then by the cover plate 7, the cover plate being secured to the casing by means of two screws 7 These screws pass through the cover 7 plate 7, the upper bearing plate 10, the releasing plate 11, and the bolt 9 and'are screwed into the lower bearing plate 8 in I the bottom section. of the casing, as shown at 7. The center portion of each screw is turned down to reduce the diameter, as shown at W. The reduced portions thus secured'extend through slots 9, formed in the bolt, and as each slot is enlarged to the full diameter of the screws, as shown at 9, the screws can only be removed when the bolt is moved into a position where the enlarged portions 9 will line up with the screws. This position is only assumed when the bolt is midway between a complete loclnng or a complete releasing position. Therefore it is necessary to know the combination of the lock. so that the bolt may be released and moved to this position before it is possible to remove the screws which secure the cover plate T in place. It is therefore also impossible to lift the wheel or remove it from the steering column as it is first necessary 7 to remove the cover plate and bolt before it is possible to lift the wheel off of the collar. i r

The wheel proper is also secured against upward movement onthe collar by formingan annular groove therein, as shown at A lip 9 formed on the forward end of the bolt, normally projects into this groovewhen the bolt is retracted and is fully projected into the slot 9 when the bolt is moved forward to locking position,

the bolt being normally retained in the locking position by a spring l0 interposed between the rear end of the casing and the bolt, and the rearward movement of the bolt, when retracted, is limited by a stop pin 41 secured to the rear end of the casing. This pin is of considerable importance as it prevents the bolt from being so far back that the lip 9 might move out of en- It is, therefore, essential to gagement with the annular groove 5; also it provides a positive stop which prevents the bolt from being moved into a position where the slots 1%, formed in the flanges 13, might be out of alinement with the keys. It is necessary that an absolute alinement should be maintained between the keys and the'slots ll on the bolt. both when the bolt is retracted and extended as it would otherwise be difiicult to lock the bolt in either the extended or retracted position.

The sliding plate 11 may be secured to the upper bearing, plate 10 in any suitable manner, but'preferably as here shown by a cross bar 42 and a screwflil, the cross barand screw permitting a sliding. movement of the releasing plate, when desired, and also permittinn retraction of the releasing plate to normal position by means of a spring 414.

This spring is attached at one end to the cover plate and at the opposite end to the releasing); plate. I

The downward movement of the vertically positioned keys which cooperate with the locking bolt is, as before stated, limited by the bottom section of the casing. The upward movement is limited entirely by pins 45 extending through the keys which are adapted to engage the under side of the upper bearing plate 10. The keys, when raised, will allassume a normal plane and will also assume a normal plane if they should all be. depressed, as their movement, both in an upward and downwarddirection, is positively limited; the actual movement in practice beingapproximately one-eighth of an inch while the extreme movement of the bolt proper is one-quarter of an inch. The forward end of the bolt which enters the slotted portion of the collar may be slightly tapered, (not shown,) to permit it to act as a wedge to tightly lock the wheel with relation to the collar and steering" column and also to permit it to automatically take up the slight amount of wear which will naturally take place through continuous use.

The steering wheel as a whole is absolutely tamper-proof because the comb1nato wedge, clamp or otherwise lock thewheel with relation'tothe steering column asthe post or housing" 6 inclosing the steering column projects up into a recessformed' in the bottom ofthe collar, as shown at 6 It can also be seen that it becomes impossible to wedge the hub of the wheel with relation to the collar as the lower end of the hub projects below the collar, while the upper end is entirely covered by the plate 7 and it is also impossible to clamp the wheel with relation to the collar or column as a cap 6 forms acovering for the upper end of the column; and while it is turnably mounted thereon it is secured against endwise removal by the cover plate, due to the fact that its lower edge is flanged, as shown at 6.

Every precaution has been taken to guard against tampering or temporarily disabling the mechanism, and as it is otherwise comparatively simple and substantial in construction it presents no difficulty as regards operation to the person who is familiar with the combination. The necessity of carrying a key and the inconvenience connected therewith if a key is lost are entirely obviated in the present case as no key can be removed.

It may also be stated that the combination can be more readily operated than a keyactuated lock, particularly when it is dark, as an individual knowing the combination can tell by the touch of the keys which should be depressed for the purpose of operating the combination.

The wheel here shown can readily be fitted to the steering column of any standard automobile even though the collar is too large or too short. If it is too large in diameter, it is only necessary to interpose a split bushing, such as shown in Fig. 12, and if too short, it is only necessary to interpose a few washers, such as shown in Fig. 13. It can, therefore, be readily applied wherever desired because no change in construction is necessary. I

From the foregoing description it should be appreciated that means have been provided for preventing the theft or use of an automobile by any unauthorized person as it is possible to release the steering wheel from the column or post, thereby rendering it impossible to drive the car or tow it away. The wheel is, furthermore, attached to the steering column in such a way that it is locked at all times which makes it diflicult, if not impossible, to remove the wheel unless the combination is known or the wheel is entirely mutilated. The locking mechanism provided is such that the owner can change the combination at his own pleasure, but it should be understood that such a change and combination cannot be made unless the present combination is known as thescrews that hold the cover plate on the lock are so constructed that they cannot be removed while the bolt is locked in either the locked or released position. The bolt must necessarily be moved to a central or neutral position halfway between the two locking positions before the screws can be removed.

To change the combination it is only necessary to remove the cover plate as described and then simply reverse the position of the keys, if it is desired to add to the combination, and reverse the other keys that may have been in the former combination, if desired. Care must, of course, be .taken to note and remember all keys that are placed with the combination side toward the bolt. As this change in combination can be made by merely removing the cover plate, it can be seen that comparatively little time is required and that a change may be made as often as desired.

Another feature that should be noted is the fact that the slots formed in the cover plate are a little larger than the slots formed in the two bearing plates. This is of great importance as all wear will be taken up by the bearing plates, thereby saving the cover plate and preventing a too close observer from detecting which keys are being used.

The materials and finish of the several parts of. the device may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate; and while we have here shown a locking mechanism applied to a steering wheel we wish it understood that it may be ap lied wherever a lock may be required.

. aving thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is p In a look, a casing, a covertherefor, a locking bolt movable therein to and from full operative position from and to full inoperative position, said bolt having a lengthwise slot formed with a central entrance enlargement, and means for securing the cover to the casing including a shank insertible through the entrance enlargement of the bolt slot and having a reduced shank por tion operable in the oppositely extending narrow ends of theslot to define the movements of the bolt and also to lock the cover on the casing whereby a disposal of the bolt intermediate said positions is necessitated prior to removal of the cover.

In testimony. whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEE RIAL. WILLIAM HEBERN. WVitnesses: Y

H. W. REED, F. F. MALLOY. 

